Forget going out to eat on Friday night! (Allentown, Whitehall: appointed, 2009)

[KristyLiz]

With three young kids, we rarely go out to eat, but last Friday we were just going to go to Applebys for dinner, but were shocked to see how crowded it was! Not only was that place crowded, but everywhere else we tried too.

We ended up just going home and getting pizza (my kids were so disappointed).

This area really needs some more family friendly chain type restaurants.

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by KristyLiz

With three young kids, we rarely go out to eat, but last Friday we were just going to go to Applebys for dinner, but were shocked to see how crowded it was! Not only was that place crowded, but everywhere else we tried too.

We ended up just going home and getting pizza (my kids were so disappointed).

This area really needs some more family friendly chain type restaurants.

Ever consider going to a locally-owned place rather than a chain?

[toobusytoday]

When our kids were younger we would go to the local diner. The Coop or Coopersburg Diner is popular with everyone, has lots of choices and is reasonably priced. There are diners are all over just like it. I agree with trying to avoid chains but I can't think what choices you have over Macungie way- maybe it's all chains?

[3boys269]

even here in brooklyn friday night dinners out, EVERYTHING is crowded. Saturdays too. when we were in PA last month we went to TGIF's it was crowded, but we didnt have to wait for a table, it was a Friday night . We also went to Friendly's another time, same thing- crowded, but no waiting time.

[ScranBarre]

The Lehigh Valley now has over 800,000 people. It is more crowded than ever before.

[KristyLiz]

Originally Posted by danwxman

Ever consider going to a locally-owned place rather than a chain?

That would be fine with us - but I'm telling you everything we drove past was packed. People all waiting outside. The area just needs more restaurants.

[SirenSong71]

Damon's on 100 really, really awesome food. Steaks, chicken, ribs (OMG, the RIBS ARE AWESOME!), fish. Everything there is very good and prices are pretty reasonable. Big screen TV with trivia games and a controller at your table so you and the kids can participate, great place for families. Whenever the extended family visits from SI and NJ, we have to take them there. They love it!

Pickles in Emmaus, burgers, steaks and the like, a few fish dishes, good food, great atmosphere for families, a bit pricey. The best burgers I've ever tasted.

The Trivet in Emmaus, traditional American fare, very good food, old-fashioned family atmosphere, great prices and great service.

Italiano Delight good food, italian food, pizza and burgers too, service is good but when it's crowded it can get non-exsistent, prices are fabulous.

Bob Evans (I know it's a chain, but it's rarely really crowded) on lehigh st. Service here is always good and so is the food. Wait time even on a fri nite was pretty short.

Hometown diner in Breinigsville, very, very good food and service. Wait time on a Friday night in the middle of their rush was only 10 minutes!! The reason is their turn over time. They turn tables pretty quick (clean them) and get them ready for new parties. We went there with our nieghbors and had never been there before. We really enjoyed it! Prices are very reasonable!

Hope this helps!

[austere]

I've wondered about that Pickles restaurant as well as Italiano Delight. I'd love to hear other recommendations, as I think it is great fun to try non-chain restaurants, but with a large family if the food or service turns out to be bad it is a costly mistake!

[Lehigh Valley Native]

I have three kids and going out to eat with them is always an adventure, two year olds and restaurants isn't a good combination. IMHO, these places cater best to families and offer decent food.

1) Buca di Beppo(Italian)- just north of The Lehigh Valley Mall on Grape street. Reserve early and request the kitchen table (table is in the kitchen) or the Pope table. This restaurant has so much going on inside kids will be entertained for hours, plus the food is very good. Staff is friendly and very engaging with kids.

2) Red Robin(Burgers & such) on Tilghman in South Whitehall, just off route 309.

3) Friendly's Restaurant(American Food) - Either Hamilton Blvd location by Wal-Mart or MacArthur Rd in front of the mall

4) Brass Rail Restaurant(American/Italian Food) - Lehigh St. Allentown, just west of route 309. (avoid with kids on Fri. & Sat. nights)

5) Old Country Buffet(Heartburn Food) in the Whitehall Mall in Allentown. I don't think the food is great, it really is only passable as food. It is about the quality of a McDonalds (ok, maybe a bit better than Mickey D's) That being said, kids love eating there. They can pick what they want, keep going up for more and can make sundaes at the sundae bar. Parents, stick to the Psuedo-Chef carved ham and Roast Beef and your stomach will be ok. Eat anything else and buy the Tums before you get home.

[jdhall1]

We have the same problem with not being able to get tables on Friday nights here. However, I had no wait at all at a great local Italian place last Saturday night without a reservation.